Caulfield Race 9: The Champagne Pommery Masters 1400m

29/07/2016: The lightly raced Magicus has won 4 of his 6 race starts to date and is working through the grades nicely. Was luckless here 2 runs back around 3 Moonee Valley wins. The step up to 1400m shouldn't cause too much concern and this Waller trained gelding clearly looks the one they all have to get over. Caprese was only narrowly beaten this track class and distance last time and doesn't have to improve too much on that effort to be a major factor in this. I'm Ablaze defeated Caprese on that occasion and the stable is in a bit of form at the moment. No reason why back to back wins cannot be achieved. Fast Approaching hasn't done much in both runs back but wasn't beaten by too much last time. Raced well last preparation and won in better grade than this. Has strong record this track and distance and look for rapid improvement in this. So Does He is racing well of late and found the line well last time from along way back when beaten just over a length by I'm Ablaze. Goes well this distance and has won here at Caulfield. A must inclusion for any exotics. Marwood was beaten only 0.4 lengths in the same race and is yet another with claims in a tough closing event.

Oh boy, what a mish mash of in running positions with a number of the runners racing close to the lead and a following run or two later flopping out of the barriers into mid field positions. I am assuming Fast Approach can lead but with seven possible on pacers it is almost guaranteed one or two will jump well enough to perhaps attack for the lead. On that basis, and I admit I suggest this scenario with bated breath, I am going to assume all the runners will get their chance and that the pace will be solid.

CHANCES

The Champagne Pommery Masters 1400m

Order

Margin

Magicus

PLUS: Won 4 from 6, unlucky this track 2 runs back, from the Waller camp, well drawn.

A

0

MINUS: Unknown past 1200m.

Caprese

PLUS: Just beaten this trk/dist last start, has top rider engaged.

B

1

MINUS: Yet to win 3 runs this distance.

I'm Ablaze

PLUS: Winner only run trk/dist, stable going well at the moment.

C

1.5

MINUS: form prior to last win was ordinary, fluke?

Fast Approaching

PLUS: Strong form trk/dist, well drawn, not far away last time, has won 3rd up in past.

D

1.75

MINUS: Unplaced last 3 runs.

So Does He

PLUS: Goes well this distance, winner this track, finished race off well last time.

E

2.5

MINUS: Drawn wide.

Marwood

PLUS: Only beaten 0.5 lengths when 4th last time, goes well this distance.